Frequently Asked Questions
Is this check-in a diagnosis, or does it tell me I have PMDD?
No. This is a free, self-reflection tool, not a clinical diagnosis. A real PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) diagnosis requires tracking your symptoms daily against your actual cycle for at least two menstrual cycles, using a tool like the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP), and reviewing that pattern with a doctor. What this check-in can do is give you a plain-language snapshot across five DSM-5-TR symptom domains, useful as a starting point for that conversation, not a substitute for it.
What's the difference between PMDD and regular PMS?
Nearly everyone with a menstrual cycle notices some premenstrual change, and that alone is ordinary PMS, not PMDD. PMDD is a distinct diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR, defined by mood symptoms (marked mood swings, irritability or anger, depressed mood, or anxiety) that are severe enough to meaningfully disrupt work, relationships, or daily life, concentrated in the week or two before your period, and that clearly ease within a few days of it starting.
How is PMDD different from postpartum depression?
They're different conditions defined by different timing. PMDD is cyclical and month-to-month: symptoms rise in the luteal phase before your period and fall away once it starts, recurring for as long as you keep menstruating. Postpartum depression is tied to a single window after childbirth and doesn't follow the menstrual cycle at all. Someone can experience one, both at different times, or neither — they're assessed and treated differently, so it's worth being clear on which pattern actually matches your experience.
I strongly relate to my results — what should I actually do next?
Start a daily log of your mood and physical symptoms for one to two full cycles, even a simple phone note works. Bring that record to a GP or gynecologist and mention PMDD by name. SSRIs (often dosed only during the luteal phase), certain hormonal contraceptives, and therapy all have real evidence behind them. Treat your result here as information to bring into that conversation, not a verdict on its own.
Does a high score mean something is wrong with me?
No. PMDD is a recognized medical condition tied to an unusual sensitivity to normal monthly hormone changes, not a character flaw, a matter of willpower, or something you're imagining. Research suggests it affects a meaningful share of people who menstruate, and it responds well to treatment once identified. Noticing the pattern clearly is a genuinely useful first step, not a sign of weakness.
How is this different from the Mood Check-In or Worry Check-In?
Those check-ins (depression-screener and anxiety-screener) look at mood or anxiety patterns generally, regardless of timing. This check-in is specifically about whether mood, irritability, anxiety, and physical symptoms cluster around your menstrual cycle. If your low mood or anxiety feels constant rather than tied to the days before your period, one of those broader check-ins may be a better fit.